First World War – Sonia Nicholson

Trees of Remembrance

October 2021 marked the 100th anniversary of the dedication of memorial trees planted along Shelbourne Street (Memorial Avenue) in Saanich and Victoria, British Columbia, following the First World War. Recently, Dr. Geoffrey Bird of the War Heritage Research Initiative at Royal Roads University produced a film about the history of these trees. The documentary inspiredContinue reading “Trees of Remembrance”

Tragedy’s Heir

I’m the Shell,The Dark’ning Shell!My smoke-clouds shroud Dominions where my red rainnever fell:Far beyond the seven seas,On the mountain and the plain,Hearts are shrunken to the lees,Souls are withered for the slain.I am the Shell!My dread reverberations echo over hill and dell,Where the grey-haired Mother sits,Fearful that the sock she knits,Will never reach the boyContinue reading “Tragedy’s Heir”

Victory for Victoria: 100 Years After the Peace Parade

I wrote this speech in 2018 for the Coursera course Speaking to Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches. July 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of the Peace Parade in Victoria following WWI. I was hoping to have the opportunity to see this speech delivered, either by me or someone else, but unfortunately there were no commemorativeContinue reading “Victory for Victoria: 100 Years After the Peace Parade”